The Chu family mansion was magnificent and splendid. Though it couldn't compare to the Shen family, which had been rooted in Tongzhou Prefecture for centuries, within Tongzhou Prefecture, the Chu family was undoubtedly a great clan. Chu Xiu followed Second Madam to the Chu family's council hall. At this moment, the council hall was already filled with people. Seated at the highest position was a tall, square-faced middle-aged man in brocade clothing, his eyes slightly closed. This middle-aged man was Chu Xiu's father, Chu family head Chu Zongguang.
Speaking of which, Chu Zongguang's experiences could be considered legendary. Over twenty years ago, he brought several dozen Chu family members to Tongzhou Prefecture and established himself from scratch. Now, the Chu family had become one of the three great families of Tongzhou Prefecture, even more prosperous than the Li family, which had been rooted in Tongzhou Prefecture for over a century. However, in Chu Xiu's memories, this father of his could be described as extremely indifferent. From childhood to adulthood, he had barely seen this father of his a few times.
Of course, Chu Zongguang wasn't just indifferent to him—he was about the same with his other sons. The only one he treated slightly better was the Chu family's fourth son, also Chu Zongguang's youngest son, Chu Shang. The former Chu Xiu hadn't thought much about this, but now, after transmigrating and being reborn, Chu Xiu felt there was something strange about this father of his. Chu Zongguang's strength was at the Innate Realm, having passed beyond Body Tempering and Blood Coagulation, reaching the realm where the body's blood, qi, bones, and tendons merged into one, without impurities, like a newborn infant. Chu Zongguang was actually already over fifty years old now, but looked even younger than Second Madam, who was in her forties.
Martial artists at the Innate Realm could already be considered to have entered the hall of martial arts. Placed in the outside world, they wouldn't be unknown figures. Placed within Tongzhou Prefecture, they were genuine experts.
However, in Chu Xiu's memories, this father of his was always in closed-door cultivation, even to the point of ignoring Chu family internal affairs, only expressing opinions on major matters. If not for him being the strongest in the Chu family now, the Chu family's great power would likely have fallen to others.
Actually, liking closed-door cultivation was nothing—after all, the Chu family could be considered a martial arts family, though only the smallest kind. But in the jianghu, strength was everything. Rather than scheming and maneuvering with effort, better to directly suppress others with power. But the problem was that Chu Zongguang had cultivated so diligently for over twenty years, yet his own strength didn't seem to have changed much. It was simply a waste of time. Without talent and comprehension, no matter how much dead closed-door cultivation, one couldn't become a master. Below Chu Zongguang sat five elderly men. Judging by appearance, even the youngest was over sixty years old. These elderly men were all Chu family elders, also Chu Zongguang's seniors, each holding some power within the Chu family.
Beside these elders stood some other people. These were merely Chu family stewards and managers, some being descendants of these elders. They also held part of the Chu family's power. Besides these elders and managers, seated on both sides were Chu Zongguang's several wives and Chu Xiu's several brothers. The Chu family's principal madam was said to come from a great clan, having married Chu Zongguang before he came to Tongzhou Prefecture. The Chu family's eldest Chu Kai had a tall stature, his face forever carrying a hint of arrogance. He was also the strongest among the four Chu brothers, having reached the Blood Coagulation Realm.
The Chu family's third son Chu Sheng had a somewhat slight build, his face always carrying a warm smile. But the gaze he directed at Chu Xiu carried a hint of sinister viciousness—clearly, he also hadn't expected Chu Xiu to return alive. The Chu family's Third Madam was a graceful woman in her thirties, most favored by Chu Zongguang. The Chu family's fourth son Chu Shang was only sixteen this year, handsome in appearance, said to resemble Chu Zongguang in his youth, and thus also most favored by Chu Zongguang. The Chu family had four sons but only three wives. Chu Xiu's birth mother was merely a concubine, certainly not considered a properly wedded wife.
Chu Xiu entered and bowed to the people in the council hall:
Chu Xiu: "Greetings, Father, Great-Uncle, Third Great-Uncle, Seventh Great-Uncle, Eighth Great-Uncle, Ninth Great-Uncle, Principal Mother, Second Mother, Third Mother."
Chu Zongguang nodded lightly, saying only indifferently:
Chu Zongguang: "You've returned. Go sit."
His father had finally spoken. As for Chu Xiu's five great-uncles, they didn't even lift their eyelids.
They were two generations older than Chu Xiu—naturally, they wouldn't pay attention to a junior like him. More importantly, everyone knew what status Chu Xiu held within the Chu family, so there was no need to pay attention.
Chu Zongguang coughed and said:
Chu Zongguang: "My Chu family has been in Tongzhou Prefecture for over twenty years. Now we can be considered thoroughly rooted here. These past few years, the children have all grown up, and several uncles have been urging. My Chu family—it is time to settle the position of family heir."
At this moment, the Chu family's principal madam suddenly said:
Principal Madam: "What is there to decide? Chu Kai is the Chu family's legitimate eldest son and also the strongest in strength. If not letting Chu Kai be the heir, who else could be?"
Hearing this, the Chu family's Second Madam immediately sneered coldly:
Second Madam: "Elder sister, what you say is incorrect. Why should the legitimate eldest son inherit the family head position? Our Chu family isn't the imperial family, where the eldest son must inherit. Look at those other martial arts families—the family heir position has always been held by the capable."
A cold gleam appeared in the Chu family principal madam's eyes:
Principal Madam: "You mean my son is inferior to your son?"
Second Madam unhurriedly said:
Second Madam: "I didn't say that. I only know that we are all women. In these major matters, we should still let the master decide."
Saying this, Second Madam turned her gaze toward Third Madam:
Second Madam: "Younger sister, don't you agree?"
Third Madam merely smiled and said softly:
Third Madam: "This servant is merely a weak woman. I don't understand these matters. Whatever the master says, that is what it is."
Hearing this, the principal madam's expression immediately turned ashen.
Though Third Madam didn't speak explicitly, her words clearly showed she stood on Second Madam's side.
Chu Zongguang slapped the table and shouted sternly:
Chu Zongguang: "Enough!"
Seeing Chu Zongguang angry, the several women finally stopped speaking.
Chu Zongguang rubbed his aching head in frustration. What he hated most was dealing with this kind of messy business.
Chu Zongguang: "Stop talking. The matter of the heir is of course something to consider carefully. Today, several uncles are present, so I'll set the rules here. One year—Chu Kai, Chu Xiu, Chu Sheng, Chu Shang—you four each hold part of the family's business. Whoever manages the family's business best, the heir position will be theirs. Our Chu family is only so big; the business is only so much. Whose progress is greatest can be seen at a glance."
Speaking to this point, Chu Zongguang glanced at the youngest Chu Shang, then said:
Chu Zongguang: "Though my Chu family is a martial arts family, because of your ages, strength will temporarily not be considered. Only ability will be examined. Do you agree?"
As soon as these words left his mouth, the principal madam and Chu family eldest Chu Kai's expressions immediately darkened. Chu Zongguang was clearly showing favoritism toward the youngest Chu Shang. With one sentence, he had eliminated Chu Kai's greatest advantage.
Second Madam smiled:
Second Madam: "What the master says, I naturally agree."
Third Madam also followed:
Third Madam: "This servant naturally agrees as well."
Only the principal madam, ashen-faced, snorted coldly:
Principal Madam: "I disagree! My Chu family is a martial arts family, yet choosing a family heir without testing strength—this is simply a joke!"
Chu Xiu narrowed his eyes, watching the people present. Just through this conversation, he had roughly grasped the personalities of those present.
The Chu family's several elders were decorations, with their own small calculations, but didn't dare go against Chu Zongguang's intentions.
His eldest brother and the principal madam were of the same character—arrogant, not putting anyone in their eyes. It was said that principal madam came from a great clan. Now looking at her, it was indeed so—she actually dared to directly confront Chu Zongguang.
But her doing so was also extremely foolish. Even if her family background was impressive, this wasn't her family. This was Tongzhou Prefecture, this was the Chu family. Her contradicting Chu Zongguang like this would only make Chu Zongguang detest her more. That Second Madam needed no further description—ruthless and venomous. Her son, the third son Chu Sheng, had far shallower cultivation than his mother. When entering, Chu Xiu could sense killing intent from him.
Finally, that Third Madam was a clever person. After the principal madam and Second Madam had aged and lost their beauty, she alone enjoyed Chu Zongguang's favor, appearing harmless to humans and animals. But not contending was itself contending—Chu Shang was most favored by Chu Zongguang. As for Chu Zongguang himself, Chu Xiu could sense that this father of his was a person who feared trouble. Even though he said choosing the family heir was a major matter, in the end he still seemed somewhat perfunctory. This made Chu Xiu somewhat strange. Could it be that this father of his had truly become obsessed with closed-door cultivation, even treating such a major matter so perfunctorily?
Just then, the Chu family principal madam suddenly said:
Principal Madam: "Chu Xiu, though you are an illegitimate son, you are also my Chu family's heir. What do you think of what the master said?"
Only now did the people present seem to notice Chu Xiu. Second Madam immediately frowned—this was what she feared. Though she had won over Third Madam and Chu Shang, this idiot Chu Xiu had always stood on the principal madam and Chu Kai's side.
The principal madam also knew this. She triumphantly raised her eyebrows toward Second Madam. Two against two—if Chu Zongguang openly favored Chu Shang again, it would be somewhat unjustifiable.
But who knew that Chu Xiu would smile at this moment, cup his hands toward Chu Zongguang and say:
Chu Xiu: "How could this son dare have opinions on what Father has decided? Naturally, whatever Father says, this son will do."
As soon as these words left his mouth, everyone present was stunned.
The principal madam and Chu Kai both looked at Chu Xiu with disbelief. Especially Chu Kai—he remembered that this kid had always followed behind him like a lackey. Now he dared to oppose him? Second Madam frowned. She couldn't quite figure out what Chu Xiu was thinking. She could now confirm that Chu Xiu should know about her scheme to kill him. But even knowing this, he still stood on her side. What did Chu Xiu mean?
Actually, Chu Xiu's meaning was simple—he also wanted to compete for the family head position. Standing on the principal madam's side, what would he be competing for? The former Chu Xiu didn't want to compete, but the current Chu Xiu—if he didn't compete for the family head position, would the Chu family's assets still be given cheaply to those waste brothers of his? Even Chu Zongguang looked at Chu Xiu with a face full of surprise. He felt that this son he had always ignored seemed somewhat different from a year ago. Was the Southern Mountain mines really that tempering?